Item Brochure

MED Approved
The Marine Equipment Directive is an initiative of
the European Commission. Its intention is to create
a single set of standards for authorized marine
equipment required on all EU-agged merchant
vessels. The Stearns
®
brand offers several products
which have been approved under the MED standards.
SOLAS Gear
SOLAS—Safety of Life at Sea—gear is equipment
that meets regulations set by the IMO—International
Maritime Organization. Crews and operators of
commercial boats are required to comply with these
rules when they’re in international waters, and even
in some domestic areas.
Flame Resistant
Products made with Nomex® ber add
ame-resistance to their other safety features. They
are ideal for those who have to face both re and
water hazards such as shipboard reghters or oil
rig workers.
Transport Canada Approval
Transport Canada is an initiative of the Canadian
Commission. Its intention is to create a single set
of standards for authorized marine equipment
required on all Canada agged merchant vessels.
The Stearns
®
brand offers several products which
have been approved under the T.C. standards.
TAA Compliant
The US government passed the Trade Agreements
Act to promote global trade with countries that
have free trade agreements and to restrict the kinds
of products buyers may purchase under federal
contracts. Many Stearns® industrial products are
TAA-compliant.
Assembled in the USA
Assembled in the USA of US and foreign
components.
Type I PFDs
Designed for all waters, including rough or open waters,
they’re designed to turn unconscious or exhausted
swimmers face-up in the water. Both recreational and
commercial operators who frequent remote regions where
rescue may be slow in coming should look for this design.
Type II PFDs
Near shore vests—the classic design with a neck oat—
designed to turn most unconscious or exhausted
swimmers face-up in the water. This design is for calm,
inland waters where there is a better chance for
quick rescue.
Type III PFDs
These are generally considered to be the most
comfortable style of jackets for various boating activities.
Since these PFDs are designed without neck oats, they
will generally not turn an unconscious person face-up.
As a result, these jackets are best suited for calm, inland
water where there is a better chance for quick rescue.
Type IV PFDs
Throwable devices designed to be used to provide aid to
a person in the water, Type IVs can be cushions or buoys
someone throws to a swimmer for added otation.
They’re not designed for small children, non-swimmers
or unconscious people.
Type V PFDs
These are special–use devices with restrictions on how
they’re utilized. Type Vs are especially valuable tools
for industrial workers, because this class includes work
vests, deck suits and hybrids.
Type V/II PFDs
Special-use, Type-V-performance jackets which meet
USCG Type II requirements, but only when the people on
board are wearing them.
Type V/III PFDs
Special-use, Type-V-performance jackets which meet
USCG Type III requirements, but only when the people
on board are wearing them. This type of rating is often
found on inatable-style life jackets as well as Stearns
®
Puddle Jumper
®
PFDs for children.
CATALOG
NAVIGATION ICONS
USCG
United States Coast Guard approved.
STEARNSFLOTATION.COM
Easy-to-read icons will help you quickly spot the life-saving gear you need.
American ingenuity still thrives in many Stearns
®
products. Centered around our Sauk Rapids,
MN facility, our world-class products are
designed, tested and made to American
standards right in our own backyard.
When you get a USA made Stearns
®
product, you not only help safeguard
yourself in the water, but also the
livelihood of other Americans.
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